Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has had to respond to criticism from Gunners legend Tony Adams about his ability to captain the club following the bitter defeat to Liverpool
09:34, 09 Sep 2025
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard (left) and former skipper Tony Adams (right) are at odds
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard (left) and former skipper Tony Adams (right) are at odds(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal have been left to mull over their defeat to Liverpool for more than a week with the international break currently underway as their players travel across the world.
Declan Rice found the net as England ultimately overcame Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, with the Three Lions facing Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday evening. When the Gunners reconvene, they'll be in action against Nottingham Forest, offering them the opportunity to narrow the gap on Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta has just discovered that William Saliba will be out for up to four weeks after he limped off at Anfield. The centre-back will miss several matches, but captain Martin Odegaard is once again approaching full fitness. When domestic football resumes, the north Londoners will have the opportunity to set down several early statements. They travel to Spain to kick off their Champions League campaign before welcoming Manchester City.
Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest Arsenal news.
Odegaard provides injury update
OSLO, NORWAY - SEPTEMBER 4: Martin Odegaard of Norway reacts during the International Friendly match between Norway and Finland at Ullevaal Stadion on September 4, 2025 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Odegaard fired back on international duty(Image: MB Media, Getty Images)
Odegaard maintains the shoulder problem he picked up last month is now "under control" and he dismissed the notion of a conflict of interest between Arsenal and Norway after he was selected for international duty.
The Gunners captain was substituted in the 5-0 victory over Leeds after injuring his shoulder. He was considered fit enough to appear the following weekend from the bench in the 1-0 defeat away at Liverpool, but his choice to join Norway's squad has sparked debate.
"It hurt a lot, but now I got it under control and I feel ready," Odegaard shared about his injury during a Norway press conference.
"It was never an issue (any conflict of interest with Norway and Arsenal). I talk a lot with Stale Solbakken (Norway's manager). The club obviously wanted me for Liverpool, and my only job was to get ready."
Captain brushes off Adams' criticism
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Odegaard has also shrugged off criticism from Arsenal legend Tony Adams who suggested he should be stripped of the captain's armband in favour of Declan Rice.
The Gunners' icon voiced his views in a recent interview, questioning Odegaard's leadership skills and suggesting he couldn't "encourage people to come in and lay the foundations of a title-winning team".
However, the Norwegian playmaker remains unfazed, saying: "I don't care that much. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion and say what they want. I live with that.
"You can't care what everyone says, there will be a lot of positive and negative things that can affect me. It's important to just block it out. I've done it my whole career."
Merino hailed
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino has been lauded by Spain boss Luis de la Fuente
Meanwhile, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has hailed Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino as a 'genius' and 'one of the best in the world ' following his stunning hat-trick against Turkey.
The European champions celebrated a 6-0 victory at the weekend, with their versatile midfielder stealing the limelight.
Merino also found the back of the net in Spain's 3-0 triumph over Bulgaria on Thursday night, taking his tally to six goals in six caps for his nation throughout 2025.
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De La Fuente praised: "We have fantastic players, and he [Merino] is another example of a footballer who does many things well. He's a genius and a world-class player who sometimes doesn't get the recognition in Spain."